IN THE good old days, shopping arcades at racing festivals sold furs and outrageously expensive leather boots. Yesterday at Punchestown, the sign said it all: “Electronic online liquidation end-of-line recession sale”.
Televisions and MP3 players were being sold off at half price and less. The last 42in flat screen television was on offer for €700 – “or €650 if you want to make a deal. They are going for €1,600 in Naas”, the salesman said. Across the way, you could buy a pair of reading glasses for €3 or two pairs of sunglasses for a fiver.
The women competing for the best-dressed prize also had the recession on their minds. One told how she pulled her hat from the back of her mother’s wardrobe and blew the cobwebs away. Yesterday’s winner, Oniesa Owens from Longford, bought her coat in Dunnes Stores (€55) and dress in Zara (€90). Her frugal behaviour went out the window when it came to her €700 shoes, but in her defence, they were bought for her own wedding four weeks ago.
With the other daily winners, she will now compete for the grand prize on Friday. Which means another recession-proof outfit. “I’ll have to go into Dunnes on the way home,” she mused.
Even the jockeys’ wives had money-saving tips to offer. Ruby Walsh’s wife Gillian and her sister Nicola launched their Diamondlite business at the festival yesterday. They sell faux diamonds set in gold so you can have all the sparkle at a fraction of the price.
“I think they are perfect for the recession,” said Gillian. “We’ve been in to a few jewellers with them and they said to the naked eye they wouldn’t know the difference.” With engagement rings averaging €200-€300, there was plenty of interest in the bling. “I’m like “recession, what recession?” she said. And while business was booming, the sisters were blooming, with Gillian’s first baby due in October, and Nicola’s arriving in June.
But yesterday, Gillian’s only concern was that Ruby would have a fall-free week.
“He’s had an exceptional season. He had a fantastic Cheltenham. Saturday is the end of the season so hopefully he can go out on a high, in one piece.”
Heading towards the hospitality area were celebrity solicitor Gerald Kean and his girlfriend Lisa Murphy. Despite his drink-driving ban, the solicitor didn’t baulk when a large Guinness board was stuck under his nose and his photograph was taken. Guinness will donate €2.50 to its charity fund for every signature received.
Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary had watched his horse Sam Adams come second in the novice hurdle but War of Attrition would later be pulled up in the Gold Cup. He was holding forth on “idiot politicians” and swine flu.
“I suspect that nobody in the UK or Europe is going to die of swine flu. A couple of disprins and a few Strepsils will fix the problem,” he said. And no, he would not be selling face masks on Ryanair flights, despite the money-making possibilities.
